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1830.]

AN ACT

LANDLORD & TENANT ACT.

RELATIVE TO LANDLORD & TENANT.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That in case any lessee for a term of years, or at will, or otherwise, of a messuage, lands, or tenements, upon the demise whereof, any rents are or shall be reserved, where the lessee shall neglect, or refuse to pay rent reserved, as often as the same may grow due according to the terms of the contract, and where there are no goods on the premises adequate to pay the said rent so in arrear, except such articles as are exempt from levy and sale by the laws of this commonwealth, it shall and may be lawful for the lessor to give the lessee, notice to quit the premises within fifteen days from the date of the notice, if such notice is given on or after the first of April, and before the first of September; and within thirty days from the date thereof, if given on or after the 1st of September, and before the first of April; and if the lessee shall not within the period aforesaid, remove from and deliver up the said premises to the said lessor, or pay and satisfy the rent so due and in arrear, it shall be lawful for the lessor to make complaint, on oath or affirmation, to any two Aldermen, or Justices of the Peace, as the case may require, who on its appearing to them, that the lessor has demised the premises for a term of years, or otherwise, whereof any rent, or rents have been reserved, that the said rent is in arrear and unpaid, that there is not sufficient goods and chattels on the premises to pay and satisfy the said rent, except such as are by law exempted from levy and sale, and that the lessee has, after being notified in manner aforesaid, refused to remove and redeliver up possession of the premises, shall then and in that case, issue their precept reciting substantially the complaint and allegation of the lessor, directed to any constable of the proper city or county, commanding him to summon the said lessee to appear before the said alderman or justices at a day and time to be therein fixed, not less than three, nor more than eight days thereafter, to answer the said complaint; and the said aldermen or justices shall on the day appointed, or on some other day then to be appointed by said justices or aldermen, proceed to hear the case, and if it shall appear that the said complaint so made as aforesaid by the lessor, is in all particulars just and true, then the said aldermen or justices shall enter judgemnt against such lessee, that the premises shall be delivered up to the lessor; and at the request of the lessor, issue a writ of possession directed to the said constable, commanding him forthwith to deliver actual possession of the premises to the lessor, and also to levy the costs on the defendant in the same manner that costs are now by law levied and collected on other writs of execution; but if on the hearing aforesaid, it shall appear that the said complaint is vexatious and unfounded, the said aldermen or justices, shall dismiss the same with costs, to be paid by the lessor: Provided always, That at any time before the said writ of possession is actually executed, the lessee may supersede and render the said writ of none effect, by paying to the said constable, for the use of the lessor, the rent actually due and in arrear, and the costs which rent so in arrear shall be ascertained by the said aldermen or justices, on due and legal proof, and indorsed by them on the said writ of possession, together with the costs of the proceeding, of all of which doings the said constable shall make return to the said aldermen or justices, with in ten days after receiving of the said writ, and the said constables shall be answerable in default of executing the said writ according to its lawful requisitions, or in returning the same in the same manner, as to the amount of rent ascertained and determined, and costs, as constables are now by law answerable on other writs of execution: And provided further, That no writ of possession shall be issued by the said aldermen or justices,

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for five days after the rendering of judgment, and if within the said five days the tenant shall give good, sufficient and absolute security by recognizance for all costs that have and may accrue, in case the judgment shall be affirmed, and also for all rent that has accrued or may accrue, up to the time of final judgment, then the tenant shall be entitled to an appeal to the next court of common pleas, which appeal shall then be tried in the same manner that other suits are tried: And provided further, That nothing herein contained shall prevent the issuing of a certiorari with the usual form and effect.

Section 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the following fees in addition to the usual mileage, and none other, shall be demanded and received by the aldermen, justces, and constables, for doing and performing what is herein enjoined on them, viz: To the aldermen and justices for issuing precepts to the lessee, each justice twelve a half cents.

For hearing and determining the complaint and all other services rendered therein fifty cents.

For recording proceedings each twenty five cents.— For issuing and receiving returns of writ of restitution each twenty-five cents.

For the constables for serving precept and returning the same,twenty five cents.

For executing the writ of possession and returning the same fifty cents.

When the rent shall be received from the lessee by the constable, such commission as is now by law allowed on writs of execution.

Tremendous Huricane at Elizabethtown. At 7 o'clock on the 22, March, our village was visited with a tornado or hurricane, more alarming than any thing of the kind ever witnessed by our oldest inhabitants. About ten minutes before the hardest blow was felt, it was heard like distant thunder, and the nearer it approached the heavier became the general crash. Major Walker, one of our oldest settlers, who had experienced a similar storm some 40 years since in this country, gave the alarm to his family and neighbours, advising them to betake themselves to their cellars, as a hurricane was certainly approaching. By this time the air was literally filled with the hurling fragments, such as roofs of houses, rafters, boards, rails, shingles, &c. Not a house, tree, fence, or scarcely any thing, is left standing within the space it appeared to occupy, which, we think, is about one fourth of a mile wide, and in a vein from west to east.

Our village presents to the beholder a shocking spectacle. Fourteen houses are blown down and unroofed; five barns and stables, one boat house, one mill and carding establishment, completely crushed, with many other houses much damaged. Many families are turned out without a roof to shelter them from the pitiless' storm. Beds, bedding, and houshold furniture, are to be seen hanging amongst the broken timber, and strewn along the road. Among the principal sufferers in this place, are John Craighead, Esq. F. C. Flannegan, John Wilson, Esq. and John and Samuel Walker.

The boats along shore were lifted, and thrown on the beach, and broken; and, what is very remarkable, two flat boats were lifted from their moorings, and carried some distance, and torn to pieces, large parts of which have not yet been found. Much damage is also done in the vicinity. Captain Thomas Robertson's brick house, kitchen and ferry house, are all blown down. Hugh M. Wilson, who resides one mile out of this place, had his grist and saw mill, house and barn, carried away to the ground. We have not yet heard from farther than about three miles each way, but as far as heard from the destruction appears general.

Thanks to that Providence who watches over and protects us amidst such calamitous visitations, no human lives were lost, though many have received slight wounds. We fear to hear from a distance, as the consequences must be disastrous.—Pittsburg Gazette.

AN ACT

RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT Or
CANAL COMMISSIONERS.

as they shall think reasonable, a record of which offer shall be made, and if the same should not be accepted, and the damages thereafter assessed in the manner provided for by this act should not amount to a larger sum than the one offered as 'aforesaid, the person or per. sons in whose favor such damages may be assessed shall pay all the costs attending such assessment, and a certified copy of the record of such offer as aforesaid shall be evidence of the amount thereof.

Section 1. That on or before the first Monday of June next and annually thereafter the governor shall appoint the Canal Commissioners, and in case of any vacancy supply the same by new appointment, whose powers and duties shall be the same as those of the present board, and shall commence on the first Monday in Section 6. That immediately after the passage of June and shall continue in office for one year, and who this act, the governor shall appoint three individuals as shall receive as a full compensation for their services a board of appraisers, to whom all appeals shall be and expenses the sum of four dollars each per day; and made by persons who may be dissatisfied with the athe office of acting canal commissioner is hereby abolish- mount of damages offered by the board of canal comed from and after the first Monday in June next, and missioners, and it shall be the duty of said board of aptheir places respectively shall be supplied by superin-praisers, justly and equitably to assess the damages sustendents, and it shall be the duty of said canal commis-tained by such persons in the manner directed by the sioners to devote their whole time and attention by personal examination to the general and especial superin tendence and repairs of the public works finished and in progress.

Section 2. That the principal engineer of each line, or division of canal, or rail road, shall make the necessary surveys estimates and plans of all work to be done, and submit them to the board of canal commissioners for their adoption or rejection, lay out all the work and superintend its execution, be the judge of the work of contractors, and have power with consent of one of the canal commissioners to declare their contracts forfeited, in case of non compliance with them,-and make the estimates of work done for payment, and with the consent of said board, appoint the necessary assistant engineers and attend to the faithful performance of their du

ties.

Section 3. That the superintendents of lines or divisions of canals or rail roads shall submit to a majority of the canal commissioners for their approbation or rejection, all future contracts for work to be done or materials furnished, settle and pay the accounts of contractors, have the general superintendence of the line, report to the engineer any thing that may appear wrong, furnish such materials as the contractors may not stipulate to furnish, and return their accounts to the board of canal commissioners for settlement. And the superintendents, engineers and clerks who receive a perdiem allowance as compensation for their services, shall previously to a settlement of the same, certify on oath or af firmation, that they have been actually employed for the time set forth in said accounts unless prevented by

sickness.

Section 4. That whenever any contractor or other person employed by any acting canal commissioner, or superintendent, shall be dissatisfied with the final measurement of his work, or otherwise aggrieved on completion of his contract or employment, such contractor or other person may appeal from such final measure ment, or state wherein he is aggrieved to the canal board at their next meeting, who, or a majority of them shall hear and determine thereupon; Provided, That every contractor or other person making such appeal or complaint shall previously, or at the time of making the same, make affidavit of the amount in which he believes he has sustaiued injury or damage, and enter into bond to this commonwealth in at least that amount, with two sufficient sureties, to prosecute his appeal or complaint with effect, and in case his claim shall be found unfound: ed to pay all costs of re-measurement; which affidavit and bond shall be forthwith filed in the office of the auditor general.

Section 5. That in cases where injury or damage has been or may be done to private property, by means of the Pennsylvania canal or rail road passing through the same, or by the taking of any materials for the said canal or rail road, it shall be the duty of the canal commissioners to ascertain as nearly as may be in their power the amount of damages actually sustained, and to make an offer of such sum to the person or persons aggrieved

existing laws, and whose determination thereon shall be delivered to the boardjof canal commissioners, to be by them carried into effect according to law, and said ap praisers shall receive as a full compensation for their services and expenses the sum of three dollars each for every day devoted to the duties of their office; and be. fore entering on the duties of their office, shall take an oath or affirmation to execute the same with fidelity,their accounts to be settled and paid as those of the canal commissioners Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the board of commissioners from compromising all cases of damages now pending in court.

Section 7. That the board of canal commissioners shall have power from time to time to make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of this state, in respect to the size and structure of boats, raft and other floats on the waters of the canals, the weigh ing and inspecting of boats and their lading, the collec tion of tolls, and in respect to all matters connected with the navigation of the canal, and impose such rules and regulations as they may judge reasonable, Provided, That no fine or penalty so imposed shall for a single of fence exceed the sum of twenty-five dollars.

Section 8. That no member of the legislature shall be appointed a canal commissioner or a superintendent on the line of canal during the time for which he is elected to office.

Section 9. That the board of canal commissioners shall appoint supervisors to take charge of such por tions of the canals and rail roads as shall be finished for public use, and the said supervisors are hereby required to file a bond with two or more substantial sureties, to be approved by the governor, in the office of the secretary of the commonwealth, the penalty of said bond to be not less than $5,000, conditioned for the faithful accounting and settling of any sum or sums of money which he may from time to time draw for the purpose of being expended in repairs, and conditioned for the performance of all other duties of his office, Provided, That no supervisor shall be allowed at any time to have more than $5,000 in his hands unaccounted for, and his accounts be audited and settled in the same manner that the ac counts of the superintendents of lines are now settled. And so much of any act as is hereby, altered or supplied is repealed.

64 acres, cut and put up last harvest 207 dozens of Jesse Pugh, in East Nottingham, Chester County, off wheat, which yielded 203 bushels of grain. This is the effect of lime and manure.

I don't think the land on

the other side of the fence, adjoining, in its present state, without lime or manure would bring five bushels of wheat or corn to the acre,

Vil. Rec.

The Hon. Joan Ross, President Judge of the courts of Bucks and Montgomery counties, has been appointed, by the Governor, an Associate Judge of the Su preme Court, in the place of Judge Todd, deceased.

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1830.]

RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA,

RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Abstract of the state records at Harrisburg, made by Thomas Sergeant Esq, when Secretary of the Commonwealth, and by him presented to the Historical Committee of the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 3, 1819.-1748 to 1758.

(Continued from p.253.) 1755-Sept. 15. House of Assembly met.

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Indians were seen to pass the Allegheny mountains, mo a party of them have passed the Susquehanna and kil ving towards the inhabitants of this province, and that led all before them, and were within 5 miles of Harris's ferry."

the frontiers, that he has neither arms nor ammunition, Governor answers the applications for assistance from owing to the Assembly's conduct.

Accounts from Paxton, Oct. 28th and 29th-That the inhabitants were going off, leaving every thing, and they French and Indians arrived at Shamokin. expected an attack, from hearing of a large force of

Oct. 31. Governor thought the Assembly authoriz

Sept. 18. Governor of Massachusetts having on the 8th September, determined to raise 2800 men, in addition to 1500 formerly raised, for the reduction of Crowning a committee to distribute arms an infringement on Point, resolved that the Lieut. Governor should write to the rights of the government, and appointed a committhe Governor of Pennsylvania, to furnish an immediate tee of Council to inquire into it. supply of provisions for that service.

Gov. Morris sent this to the House for consideration. A dispute arose on the Assembly's demanding a sight of the Governor of Massachusetts letter.

Sept. 29. Confirmation of the entire defeat of the French under Gen. Dieskau, on Lake George, on the 6th September, by Gen. Johnson.

October 6. Accounts came from the mouth of Conogochegue, of Oct. 4, that the Indians had appeared on the frontiers of Maryland in that neighborhood "destroying all before them; firing houses, barns, stackyards, &c. and upwards of forty persons were killed or taken. The woods were alive with them."

From Aughwick, Oct. 9-That 14 days before, 160 about leaving the Ohio to attack the frontiers. That the Indians meant to draw off all the Indians from out of Pennsylvania and from the Susquehanna before they attacked the inhabitants of this province.

George Croghan was desired by an Indian to shift his quarters as soon as he saw the Indians remove from the Susquehanna back to Ohio.

From Fort Cumberland-That the Indians had cut off a great many families around that Fort. It is supposed near 100 persons killed or taken-the houses all burnt, and plantations laid waste. Parties of the enemy appear within sight of Fort Cumberland, and frequently larger than the garrison (137). By a prisoner, taken and escaped, they are known to be the Shawanese and Delawares, under the command of one Shingo, who, and most of his company, were at the Carlisle Treaty!

October 18. House adjourned to the 1st December. The Governor said he was going to his other govern

ment.

He sent for the Chief Justice, Mayor, Recorder & Aldermen, & having laid before them the defenceless state of the province and the state of affairs, exhorted them to stir which they promised. up the people to contribute to the general defence-The Governor informed them that there had been a number of suspicious Frenchmen who had of late been in town, and it was thought were now concealed. He expected them to be searched for and brought before him.

A committee appointed to take an account of the arms and ammunition in the city.

Conrad Weiser appointed Colonel of the forces in Berks county.

Governor writes to Gen. Shirley, "That he was informed the French intended to seize and fortify Shamokin, having it is said obtained the consent of the Delaware Indians to do it under the ensnaring pretence of puiting them again into possession of their former country and rendering them independent of the Six Nations.— Those Indians we know are gone against us, and with the Shawanese (a nation ever averse to the 6 nations,) committed the murders and devastations in Virginia,and are now in several parties killing our inhabitants in the country near Shamokin, with design, no doubt, to give the French time to build their fort, and to hinder any obstruction from us."

November 2. Accounts from C. Weiser and others, Reading, Oct. 31, 8 o'clock at night, that the people at Aughwick and Juniata, were all cut off, and that they were all in uproar at Reading. No authority, no commissions, no officers practised in war, and without the commiseration of our friends in Philadelphia, who think themselves vastly safer than they are. Nov. 5.

Message to Assembly.

October 28. Accounts from Paxton, Oct. 20, that some Indians had begun hostilities on the Susquehanna, News of the 3d Nov. from Conogochegue that the and had killed or drove away all the inhabitants settled great Cove was reduced to ashes on Saturday before. in the upper part of Cumberland county, at a place cal-The writer (John Potter, Sheriff of Cumberland) says: led Penns' creek, about four miles south of the Shamokin. The people (says C. Weiser, Reading, Oct. 22,) are in great consternation, coming down, leaving their plantations and corn behind them. 25 persons, men, women and children, killed, scalped and carried away, on the 16th Oct.; 15 killed, who were men and elderly women and one child; the rest being young women and children carried away; a house burnt up. He had raiers were expected. sed 300 people, who marched to a short distance and af. terwards returned to defend their own townships. All requesting relief of the Governor.

"Two-thirds of this valley have fled, leaving their plantations, and without speedy succour be granted I am of opinion this country will be left desolate- Last night I had a family of 100 women and children, who fled for succour. This party consists of about 100 Indians, Delawares and Shawanese, commanded by Shingus the Delaware king. 60 men marched against them and oth

On the 23d, upwards of 40 of the inhabitants of Paxton creek went up to bury the dead, but found it done; they went on to Shamokin, to visit the friendly Indians there; staid there all night and in returning on the west side of the Susquehanna,in crossing the river in the morning of the 25th at Mahonoy creek, were fired upon by a number of Indians that lay in the bushes. Lost several men-they killed 4 of the Indians. spoke the Delaware tongue.

These Indians

Oct. 27. Reading in a state of great alarm. Governor summoned Assembly to meet 3d Nov.

Oct. 28. Governor writes to Gov. Dinwiddie: "I have received information that a large party of French and Vol. V

34

Governor communicated these things to the Assembly-who in reply wished to be informed of the inclinations of the Six Nations, and if there was any reason why the Shawanese and Delawares were alienated, and recommended means to regain their affection rather than entail a cruel Indian war on themselves.

Governor and Council were of opinion the Assembly did not intend to make provision by preparing the bills recommended and therefore no more time should be lost in messages, but the Governor should repair in person to the frontier.

Nov. 7. Governor applied to the Proprietary's Re ceiver General, to borrow £1000. But Mr. Hockley excused himself, saying he had not £100 in the house.

for granting the same to the King's use and to provide a Nov. 8. Bill for striking £60000 in bills of credit and

fund for sinking the same by a lax of 6d. per pound, and 10s. per head yearly for 4 years on all estates.

the Governor not to be cast down, but take time and
enter into the consideration of what could be done, in
which he would give his assistance heartily.

Message of Assembly pretty full on the money Bill. Nov. 14. Scarooyady to the Interpreters-appeared not to have lost his affection for us, though he spoke with great contempt of our measures, and after long consultation gave it as his opinion that intelligence should be got of the further designs of the Delawares, and their conduct laid before the Six Nations and Sir

W. Johnson.

Scarooyady offered to go to the Six Nations, and the Governor gave him instructions, and wrote also to Sir W. Johnson.

Nov. 17. Account of 16th November that the Indians had passed the Blue Mountains; broke into the county of Berks, and murdered and scalped at Tulpehockenwhich occasioned great alarm at Reading. "The peo ple exclaim against the Quakers, and some are scarce restrained from burning the houses of those few there

"The Governor after hearing the bill was under a great concern of mind at the ill temper of the Assembly in raising a dispute about the proprietary tax at such a dangerous time as this, and having received at the Jast Council the unanimous opinion of the members that he ought not to pass such a bill, and those present adhering to their opinion, he drew a message to the Assembly, and whilst it was considering the Indians, viz. Scarooyady, Andrew Montour, Iagrea, and Scarooyady's son Scarooyady with Mr. Weiser, came into Council. spoke-informing that the French had sent two Delawares messengers to the Indians on the Susquehannah desiring them to remove to Ohio; stating that the Delawares of Ohio had declared war against the English. That the French had a numerous alliance of Indians besides the Delawares. That they had been blamed for the defeat of Washington. They would not be blamed without a cause. That there were three parties of them, one would go against Carlisle, one down the Susquehan-are in this town." na, one against Tulpehocken to Conrad Weiser, and would be followed by 1000 French and Indians. Governor sends back the money bill. November 8. Scarooyady addressed the Governor and Council and members of Assembly, Magistrates, &c. at the State-house. He said he had been among the Indians on the Susquehanna, and they were willing to fight against the French-but wished to know whether the English would fight or no-if they would not, they would go somewhere else. Denied their having been concerned in any of the late attacks on the whites-and for proof produced a scalp taken from a French Indian killed in a late encounter; which he would not have taken if he had been of the number of our friends.Which the Governor answered-referring them to the ultimate decision of the Assembly.

Governor called on Assembly to pass a law granting money, and for governing the forces not acting with regulars.

Accounts also of fresh murders in the neighborhood of Paxton.

Nov. 22. The gentlemen appointed by the Govern or to inquire whether any cause of disgust had been giv. en to the Delawares and Shawanese in the transactions of the proprietaries with them, made a long report concluding that there was none-which was sent to the Assembly.

Nov. 24. Letter from William Moore, dated yester day, to the Governor, advising him of 2000 inhabitants preparing to come to Philadelphia, from Chester county, to compel the Governor and Assembly to agree to pass laws to defend the country and oppose the enemy Also a letter from Conrad Weiser of another considera

These were sent to the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Magistrates, in and near the city, and Sheriff, to inform them of the said commotion, and take measures to preserve the peace.

Message to Assembly. A number of French neutrals arrived sent by Gov. Lawrence in Nova Scotia-recom mending supplies and a guard for them.

Nov, 24.

Proprietaries by letter, dated London, Oct. 1, 1755, make a free gift of £5000 to the public use. Remonstrance of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council to the Assembly, on their wasting time in dis pute, and omitting to provide for the safety and defence of the lives and property of the people.

A bill for ordering and regulating such as are willing and desirous to be united for military purposes passed. Nov. 26. A bill entitled "an act for raising £60000 to the King's use, &c. (wherein the Proprietary estate is exempted from taxation towards raising the said sumin consideration of their granting £5000 in lieu thereof,) was passed by Assembly and presented to the Governor, Accounts received of the Moravian settlement at Gna Indians and

November 9. Governor sends a message to the Assembly, that after the speech of the Indians in publicble number in Berks county. they came to him in Council, and informed him by Mr. Weiser, that they and their brethren living upon the Susquehanna (about 300 fighting men) were now the only Indians in this part of the continent, besides the Six Nations, that remained firm to the English. The French. having at a great expense and by a variety of artifices, gained to their alliance not only the Delawares and Shawanese, but other very numerous nations to the westward. That the French and these allies were coming down against the English, and had given them notice to go out of the way. That the body of the Six Nations were employed in protecting their own country and ass sting the English to the northward, and could not therefore afford them any help at so great a distance. Wherefore they declared that they and their brethren were willing to act against the French and their allies, but could not take the weight of the war on themselves. What they desire from us at present is, that we would put the hatchet into their hands; that we would send a number of our young men to act in conjunction with their warriors; furnish the necessary arms, ammunition, and provisions, and would build strong houses. They insist on an explicit answer without de-all the brethren destroyed except two. Bill for raising £60,000 passed. Jay. They have assured us that this is the last application they intend to make. Letter Nov. 22, from Gov. Morris to Thomas Penn, Wednesday, Nov. 12. Message from Assembly to Esq. Proprietary. This offer (in my message of the Governor, requesting him to give his assent to the mo- 15th inst. that the tax should be laid by commissioners,) has had a good effect here, and I hope will enable you The Governor informed Scarooyady that the Assem-to set the matter in a proper light at home. If you are bly not having agreed to raise money in such manner to be taxed, I wish for your sake it may be by act of Pa that it could be accepted of, he was under the necessi-liament, when you may meet with justice; but if the ty of acquainting him with it; and as their concurrence power is ever given into the hands of the people here, was necessary in raising money, and he had none at his they will use it without mercy. A very good argument received the answer with amazement, saying it would at in administering the government-especially since own disposal, he did not know what to do. Scarooyady against your being taxed at all, is the expense you are occasion the absolute defection of the Delawares, who the Assembly have refused the Governor's salary, which by proper encouragement might now be secured in our you will be obliged to pay. interest. But he still offered his services, and desired put himself at the head of the Assembly they have go

pey Bill.

Since Mr. Franklin has

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RECORDS OF PENNSYLVÁNIÄ.

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would attend to the conduct of the subordinate ones,
and take care to discountenance and punish particular
men that are bold enough to transgress the laws, and to
favour and encourage those of whose principles and at-
tachment they can be well assured, it would infallibly
keep the province in good order."
Nov. 27. Bill for striking £60,000 passed into a law
by Governor.
Dec. 3.
Dec. 16.

Governor about setting out for New York. Accounts from Bethlehem and Nazaretl that about 200 Indians had broke into Northampton county, beyond the Blue mountains, murdering and

From Conrad Weiser, Reading, December 13—"This country is in a dismal condition. It can't hold out long. Consternation, poverty, confusion, every where."

Dec. 25. Accounts from C. Weiser, who had been sent to Harris' ferry, that he had gone up the west branch of the Susquehanna; and the Delawares at Nescopec had given that place to the French for a rendezvous. That the Paxton people had taken an Indian and shot and scalped him in the midst of them, and threw his body into the river.

Accounts from Easton, Dec. 25-Of the whole coun try up the river being deserted from that to Broadheads; who with his sons and others defended himself stoutly till the Indians retired.

Dec. 29. Several officers were appointed for com panies formed under the militia law.

Then was read a narrative made by the Secretary, of the invasions and ravages made by the French and Indians to this day, which was ordered to be entered.A brief narrative of the incursions of the French and Indians in the province of Pennsylvania.

greater lengths than ever; and have not only discovered the warmth of their resentment against your family, but are using every means in their power, even while their country is invaded, to wrest the government out of your hands, and to take the whole powers of it into their own. To which end Mr. Franklin and others have sent arms and ammunition into the several counties and distributed them to such people as they thought proper without my knowledge or consent. This I esteem a very extraordinary measure, as the people will be thereby taught to depend upon an Assembly for what they should only receive from this government-and if it is not criminal, I am sure it ought to be so. They have al-burning. so given presents to the Indians without my privity or consent, and by a bill they have sent me this session under pretence of regulating the Indian trade, they propose not only to take that whole trade into their own hands and manage it by a Committee, but to take the Indians entirely out of the hands of the government, and least the trade itself should not give them all the influence they may have occasion for, the profits of it are to be given by the Assembly in presents to the Indians. I sent you, by way of Ireland, copies of the Quaker's address, and the representation of the inhabitants of Philadelphia to the Assembly, upon which I need not make many observations. I think that of the Quakers a very rash thing, & a dangerous use of their influence at such a time as this; when it becomes every good subject and Dec. 27. Governor returned from attending a Coun true lover of his country to further his Majesty's mea-cil of War at New York, in pursuance of Gen. Shirley's sures, rather than obstruct them. But this their address summons. The plan of operations was to be kept sewill show whatever their pretences or professions have cret. [Not entered.] been, that they never intended to do any thing in defence of their country, and that the bill they now propose and insist on, is intended only to save appearances as they have put it in such a shape that it is not possible for me to consent to it, and have refused to agree to the method proposed by me for taxing your estate upon the idle pretence of not suffering the money bill to be amended. Upon my word, sir, I am much at a loss what to do in the present situation of affairs, or what to ad-itants of Mahanyaby creek, that runs into the river Susvise you to do. It is very apparent to me that if some measures be not taken at home for regulating matters here, that this province will be either overrun by the Indians and French or thrown into internal and civil commotions, the end of which no one can venture to foretell. The people have lost all sense of obedience October 23. 46 of the inhabitants on the Susquehänto government, and are countenanced by the Assembly na went to Shamokin, to inquire of the Indians there; who have their own schemes in view and make use of who they were who had so cruelly fallen upon and ruinthe people to gain their points. The Quakers indeeded the settlements on Mahanahy creek; but as they were do not wish you to part with the government because re-passing Mahanahy creek, on their return from Shathey will have much less power under the crown but mokin, they were fired upon by some Indians who lay in would willingly throw as much weight as possible into ambush, and 4 were killed, 4 drowned, and the rest put the Assembly. Franklin has views that they know noth- to flight-on which all the settlements between Shamoing of, and though they submit to him in the Assem-kin and Hunter's mill, for the space of 50 miles along bly, the more sensible part of them are not heartily satisfied of his attachment to them. The truth I believe is, that he is courting them in order to destroy you; and at the same time leading them into measures that will in the end deprive them of any share in the administration. You will observe by one of the Assembly's messa ges they mean to throw the odium of the present Indian war upon you, by insinuating that you have not paid the Indians for their lands; and though nothing can be more false and wicked, yet such is the present temper of the people that it will be too generally believed. must think that the government at home have too long neglected the internal conduct of these colonies, and have suffered assemblies to go to such unwarrantable lengths in almost every one of them, that they have for some time thought themselves without superiors, and if they do not by some means or other give a check to that factious spirit that too generally reigns in these provinces they will soon find it more difficult to keep their own colonies in order than they at present imagine. I never can think it right to punish a whole country or to lay it under peculiar disadvantages, nor indeed is it necessary, for if the supreme government

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Oct. 18. A party of the Indians fell upon the inhab

quehanna, about five miles lower than the Great Fork made by the junction of the two main branches of that river; and carried off 25 persons, and burnt and destroyed their buildings and improvements, and the whole settlement was deserted.

the river Susquehanna, were deserted.

Oct. 31. An Indian trader and two other men in the Tuscarora valley were killed by Indians, and their houses, &c. burnt, on which most of the settlers fed and abandoned their plantations.

Nov. 2. The settlements in the Great Cove attacked: their houses burnt, six persons murdered and 17 carried away, and the whole broke up and destroyed.

Nov. 3. Two women are carried away from Conegochegue by the Indians, and the same day the Canalas Iways and Little Cove, two other considerable settlements, were attacked by them, their houses burnt, and the whole settlements deserted.

Nov. 16. A party of Indians crossed the Susquehanna and tell upon the county of Berks, murdered 13 per sons, burnt a great number of houses, destroyed vast quantities of cattle, grain, and fodder, and laid waste a large extent of country.

Nov. 21. A fine settlement of Moravians called Gna denhutten, situate in Northampton county, on the west branch of the river Delaware, was attacked, 6 of them killed, and their dwelling houses, meeting houses, and all their out-houses burnt to ashics, with all the grain,

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